Convertible case or stand.



I. W. CAMPBELL.

CONVERTIBLE CASE 0R STAND.-

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, ISIS.v

Patentedv J an. 4, 1916.

lun

ATToR/V y J. W. CAMPBELL.

CONVERTIBLE CASE 0R STAND.

l APPLicATloN FILED MAR. 25. 1915.

Patentad Jan. 4,- 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ,www W.

//V Vf/v 70k? JANE.: M/'vr//Rop CAN/wia.

coLulnulA PLANouR/PH CO.,WASHINGTON, n.1.

UNTE

JAMES WINTHROVP CAMPBELL, 0F SOUTH KINGSTON, RHODE ISLAND.,

l -CONVERTIBLECASE 0R STAND.

` specicatidn of Letters patent. f `153,15@med Jan, 4, 1916.

Application led March 25, 1915. Serial No. 17,033.

To all lwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES VINTHROP CAMPBELL, citizen of the United States, residing at South Kingston, county of Washington, State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Convertible Cases or Stands, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to portable, convertible cabinets, vcases orthe like and particularly to a folding carrying'case which may be converted into a stand or table.

The device of the present invention may be used for' various purposes where it is desired to carry articles from place to place and to provide when required a table or stand which may be readily erected by manipulating the case.

In the further treatment of my invention herein, I shall describe it in its application as a carrying case or cabinet for a typewriting, adding, sewing or other machine and the vusual prerequisites therefor, and which when desired can be vconverted into a table or stand to permit the machine being operated without remo-ving it from the case.

According to the preferred form of this invention the cabinet or case comprises a substantially rectangular box like structure provided with a hinged wall orcover sectic-n .to the inner side of which the type-.-V

writer or other machine may be rigidlyv se cured and which when opened out provides a table or stand for the machine whereby to permit the machine being operated without removing it from its support.

When opened out the case is supported as a table or stand by pairs of front and rear legs. One set of legs is formed as a slidable section adapted to be wholly inclosed within the box when 1the structure is used as a simple carrying case, and the othery set of legs is formed either as a. lswiveled or a hinged section adaptedto be. moved up against the side walls of the box and form a part thereof when the structure is used as a carryingcase. Means are provided for rigidly locking both sets of legs whenopen and for locking these legs and the movable cover section of the box when closed. The device of my present invention. therefore provides a simple and compact carrying case which by a simple manipulation may be converted into a stand or table.

The construction and operation of my in :relation -rvill be @are fullrdselosed iu specification that follows; Inthe ldrawings forming a part of that specification I have shown two forms of'cases which not only clearly illustrate the principle involved `but are in themselves embodiments found satisfactory in use and well adapted to the requirements of manufacture. f.

.Throughout specification and drawings like reference numerals are correspondingly applied and in athese drawings:

f Figure l is a. perspective view of a convertible structure in accordance with my invention showing the position of the vparts when thedevice is converted into a stand or table. Fig. 2 is a vertical section there of. Fig. 3 is a perspective view vshowing the device as av simple Acarrying' case. Fig. 4

is a detail section of the locking means fori the legs, and Figs. 5 and G are views corresponding to Figs. 'l and 2 of a slightly modified form of my invention. r

The'cabinetor case consists of a preferably rectangular box likeV structure having a bottom wall l, a topwall 2, sidewalls 3' The frontV a rear wall' il and a front wall 5. wall 5 is vhinged or otherwise secured to the box as indicated at 6 to provide a lid or cover therefor. The cover 5 when opened swings back until it rests flatly on the top wall 2 and provides a flat rigid support for the typewriter ,or other machine secured .to the inner face of said cover. may be provided with anysuitable securing means for fastening the typewriter or other machine thereto. The bottom wall'l is pro vided with a suitable carrying handle 7. (see Fig. `3). Y v .f

' Slidable in .guides 8 secured to the inner faces of the side walls 3 is a .frame like structure 9 providing when the case is converted into ay stand or table an angularly disposed rear supporting structure therefor. This structure consists of spaced side members 9 and a cross member l0. 1 When the box is used as asimple carrying case the sup-l 10 assists'with legs to. rigidly .support the box..

The .cover f5 l rllhe upper ends of the legs 9 are notched as indicated at 11, Figs. 2 and 3. These notches and the adjacent end portions of the legs may be reinforced in any7 desired manner as by the reinforcing pieces 12 which are secured thereto as plainly shown in Fig. 2. The pieces 12 in addition to reinforcing the legs act as runners in the guides 8 to reduce friction.

rlhe notches 11 coperate with suitable springs 13. The springs 13 may be simple pieces of flat spring stock fastened at their upper ends to the rear wall 1 of the box and having their free ends bent outwardly as indicated at 13, Figs. 2 and 3, to engage the under edge of said wall. The legs 9 slide on these springs and when the legs are fully opened, the free ends 13 of the springs engage in the notches 11 thereof whereby to lock the legs in their open position.

The material of the wall 1 adjacent the openings thereof through which the legs 9 slide may be reinforced by suitable reinforcing pieces 14. rfhe wall 1 between these openings is formed as a pair of expansible strips 20 having their opposed ends shaped to dene a conical bore in which the conical head 1b of a bolt 15 set transversely through the wall 1 is received. The opposite end of the bolt 15 is threaded as indicated at 17 to receive a wing nut 18. When the bolt 1s tightened the head 16 expands the strips 2O radially outward toward the sides 3 ofthe box to cause their free ends to engage the sides of the legs 9 and assist with the springs 13 to lock said legs in open position. The bolt 15 also serves to lock the cover 5 in closed position. This may be effected by providing the cover near its free edge with a hole 19 in which the bolt engages, the wing nut 18 being first removed to permit the cover to come flush against the sides of the box.

Swiveled on the free end of the bolt 15 is the cross piece 21 of a pair o-f front'legs 22 which when open assist with the rear legs 9 to support the box. When the box is used as a carrying case, the legs 22 in this form of my invention are swung around on their pivot 17 up against the front edges of the side walls 3 whereby to form a continuation of the side walls. rIhe legs are held in this position by the cover 5 which is swung down over these legs and locked by the wing nut 18. In order to steadv the legs 22 against play on the bolt 15 when said legs are disposed in their supporting position and to center said legs as they are moved up to their closed position, the cross bar 21 is provided with two or more holes in which pins 23 mounted in the adjacent edge of the bottom wall 1 are received. In converting this form of case into a stand or table, the nut 18 is first removed from the bolt and the 4cover 5 swung open. The legs 22 are next swung about their pivot 17 into the position shown in Fig. 1. The legs 9 are then run down into their open position and the wing nut 18 again applied to the bolt to tighten the same.

' rl`his fixes the legs 22 rigidly in place and expands the strips 20 to loci; the legs 9. 1n closing the table, thus provided, the wing nut 18 is removed from the bolt and the legs 9 and 22 moved back into their folded positions. The cover is then swung down and the wing nut again applied to the bolt to lock the cover and thus the legs 22 in closed position.

While l have shown and described an expansible locking device for maintaining the legs 9 in open position, it will be understood that any means for effecting this may be used. 1t will be also understood that the various oints of the structure may be braced in any desired manner and that suitable antifriction devices may be used whenever necessary to secure a smooth and ready operation of the device.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 5 and (i, the structure has been modified slightly, although the principle of the device is not changed. in this form of my invention, the front supporting legs 22 are hinged as indicated at 2% to the front edge of the bottom wall 1 and the pins 23 are dispensed with. Furthermore a slightly different locking means for the rear legs 9 is used. In this emoodiment the bolt 15 consists of a simple stem member run transversely through the bottom wall 1 of the box and carrying at its rear end a plate or washer 25 adapted to bear against the rear wall i of the box and the legs 9 when said legs are run out to their open position. The plate therefore braces the legs against undue movement when open. T he front end of the bolt 15 is threaded as in the embodiment .first described and a wing nut corresponding to the nut 18 is set up on its threaded portion. The nut 18 carries a clamping plate 25 which is given a form whereby to engage both the front edge of the bottom wall 1 and the adjacent portion of the connecting strip 21 for the legs 22 thereby bracing said legs against movement when open.

rllhe cover 5 has a hole corresponding to the hole 19 and adapted to be engaged in the same manner. In converting this form of my invention from a stand or table into a carrying case, the nut 18 is irst run off the bolt and the bolt and washers 25 and 29 wholly removed. The legs 22 are then swung up against the sides of the box and the legs 9 are moved up into the box. rlhe washer l25 is then applied to the bolt and the bolt run through from the opposite side of the box to engage the registering holes in the cross pieces of the legs 9 and l22 respectively. The cover 5 is now swung down to bring its hole 19 over the threaded end of the bolt. The thumb nut and washer 26 are then applied to the -bolt and'V tightened whereby to lock the parts in closed position.

Various other modifications in the Iform and construction .of my device mav obviously' be resorted to Within the limits of. thc pYended-claims. f

AWhat I therefore claim and desire toV secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a convertible device of the class described, a containing structure, and a supporting structure therefor including a section operatively connected to move into and out of said containerA and a section operatively connected With said container and f' movable thereagainst to form a continuation of certain Walls thereof.

2. in a convertible device of the class.

described, a containing structure, and a sup porting structure therefor. including a. 'sec-l tion operatively connected with said Vcontainer and movable thereagainst to form a part of certain Walls thereof.

3. In a convertible device of the class described, a containing structure, a supporting structure therefor including a section having an effective supporting position and having a non-supporting position against said container and forming a continuation of certain Walls thereof, andv ajcover section movably connected with said container andv having a supported position vvhenopen and a covering'position over said supporting sec.-`

tion When closed whereby to hold said section in its non-supporting position.

4. In a supporting structure for a convertible case of the class described, a sectionhaving an effective supporting position relative to said vcase and having a nonsupport ing position substantially Wholly inclosed in said case, and a section operatively connected with said'case and having an eective supporting position and having a non-supporting position closely adjacent certain.

Walls of said case and forming a continuation of said Walls, and a cover section for said case movably connected thereto and having a supported position on said case when open and having an operative coverin@ osition over said last named su ortino' b h.

section when closed whereby to hold said section in non-supporting position.

5. In a combined carrying case and stand, acontaining structure, comprising top, bottom, side, and front and rear Walls, said front Wall movably connected to an` adjacent Wall and providing a cover section arranged to be supported upon said top Wall vvhen open, and a supporting structure for said container including a section having a guided travel in said container and substantially Wholly inclosed therein When in non-su porting position and a section operatively connected With said container and arranged described, a carrying element comprising top and bottom, front and rear and side n Walls, said front wall hinged to swing over and rest .flatly upon said top Wall, and a supporting structure `for said case element including a section slidable thereinto When used as a carrying case and a section operatively Vconnected to said bottom Wallv and movable up against said side Walls to form a continuation thereof When the structureis used as a'carrying case, said hinged cover member swinging l.down against said supporting section. tor hold it in place, vand means for locking said cover member and said supporting sectionsin either position ofuse.

7. In a convertible structure, a container having top, bottom, side, front and' rear Walls, one of said walls movably connected to an'a'djacent'wall and'vproviding a .cover section arranged vto be supported atly on saidV adjacent Wall When open, and a collapsible supporting structure for said con-.

Y tainer.

.8. VIn a convertible structure, a containerVV said top Wall when open, and a collapsible supporting structure for said container.

9. In a converti-ble structure, a Walled container, one of said {Walls movably con-5 nected toan adjacent Wall and providing a cover section, and a supporting structure for said. container including a .section oper-V atively connected With a Wall of the container and having a non-supporting position against certain of the Walls of said con tainer and forming a continuation of said Walls and held in said position by said cover section When the cover is closed.

l0. In a convertible structure, a Walled container, a supporting structure therefor including a section operatively connected With a Wall of the container and having an effective supporting position and a ynonsupporting position, and a cover section movably connected With said container and having a flat supported position on said Wall. to. which it is connected, Whenopen vtinuation of certain Walls of the container,

and a cover section movably connected with said container and having a flat supported position on said Wall to which it is connected when open and a retaining position continuously against and wholly covering said supporting section when closed Where-V by to hold said section in its non-supporting position.

l2. In a convertible structure, av Walled container, a supporting section having locking notches therein and having guided travel through an opening in a Wall of said container, said sections having an effec-tive supporting position When extended and a non-supporting position wherein it is wholly inclosed within the container, and a pair of spring detents effectively disposed adjacent said opening and arranged for locking engagement With said notches of said section. to lock said section in supporting position.

13. In a convertible structure, a Walled container, a supporting section thereof having guided travel through an opening in a Wall of said container, and an eXpansible locking device for positively locking said section in one of its two positions of use.

14;. In a convertible structure, a walled container, a supporting section thereof having guided travel through an opening in a Wall of said. container, an eXpansible locking device for positively locking said section in one of its tivo positions of use, and a spring detent cooperating With said device to lock said section.

15. In a convertible structure, a Walled container, a supporting section thereof having guided travel through an opening in a Wall of said container, a pair of movable members for positively locking said section in supporting position, and means having effective engagement with said members for expanding said members.

I6. In a convertible structure, a Walled container, a supporting section thereof having guided travel through an opening in a Wall of said container, a pair of oppositely movable members for positively locking said section in supporting position, and means having a Wedging engagement with said members for expanding said members in opposite directions.

17. In a convertible structure, a Walled container, a supporting section thereof having guided travel through an opening in a Wall of said container, a pair of oppositeljf .movable members for positively locking said section in supporting position, anda bolt having a Wedge shaped head for expanding said members in opposite directions.

18. In a convertible structure, a Walled container, a supporting section thereof having guided travel through an opening in a Wall of said container, a pair of oppositely movable members for positively locking said section in supporting position, a bolt having a Wedge shaped head for expanding said members in opposite directions, and a spring detent coperating with said members for locking said section.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of tvvo Witnesses.

JAMES WINTHROI CAMPBELL. Witnesses:

Jnssni C. l\IACnoNALn` WILLIAM C. ViLooX.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

